Year in review 2016: Unbeaten 18 match streak for India, West Indies World T20 champions and more

Mixed bag for the mighty Aussies

The Kangaroos began the year in style beating West Indies and New Zealand at home. Carrying on their emphatic form, a new-look Australian squad rubbed salt in the Kiwis’ wounds by thumping them in their own backyard too. However, the Sri Lanka tour proved how badly Australia was missing their retired stars. A 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka displayed immense flaws in the Australian line up. Lack of good spinners after Shane Warne’s retirement and an unsettled middle order added to their woes. After being hammered by Sri Lanka in tests, the Aussies were in for more surprises as they tasted 5-0 ODI defeat in South Africa. The nightmare continued as the Proteas thrashed Australia 2-1 in Tests in their own den. The Aussie batting collapsed like a pack of cards in front of the South African pacemen – Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander. However, the end of the year brought some good news for the Kangaroos as they defeated the Kiwis 3-0 in an ODI series at home and continued their good form with a 2-0 win over Pakistan in a 3 match Test series. Although Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been in top form throughout the year, the performance of their other teammates will decide Australia’s future.

A well begun year overshadowed by inconsistent performances from England

England began the year brilliantly and seemed to be in bolstering form in all three formats of the game. The Englishmen reached the finals of the T20 World Cup, only to lose in a closely contested final to a rampaging West Indies. They carried on their good form in Test cricket as they defeated South Africa in an away series apart from thrashing Sri Lanka at home. However, Pakistan held them to a 2-2 draw at home to take the No. 1 spot in Test cricket for a while. Apart from that, sluggish performances in Bangladesh and series loss in India spiraled England’s downfall in Test cricket. Some of the silver linings for 5th ranked team in Test cricket was however Alastair Cook’s 11,000 Test runs and the second fastest double century by all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Pakistan: Misbah’s boys undo the good work towards the end of the year

Despite having a poor T20 World Cup and Asia Cup, Pakistan cricket team earned a lot of plaudits in Test cricket. They drew a Test series in England, won series against West Indies in Dubai and even earned the ICC mace for a brief period. Misbah was already being lauded as the greatest Pakistani captain ever to have played the game. However, debacles in away Test series in New Zealand and Australia brought them down crashing to the ground. A 2-0 loss in NZ and 2-0 loss in ongoing 3 match Test series in Australia has led to Misbah pondering retirement. A sad end to a brilliant year for the ‘Men in Green’ witnessed them being the third ranked Test team in the world.

Proteas end the year on a high in the absence of AB De Villiers Dale Steyn

The year didn’t begin on a great note for the Proteas due to sub-standard performances in the World T20 and a losing Test series at home against England. Their problems were compounded as their star batsman AB De Villiers and greatest fast bowler, Dale Steyn became victim of injuries. However, even in the absence of Steyn, South Africa made a grand comeback as Vernon Philander, Kyle Abbott and young Kagiso Rabada carried on the mantle of South Africa’s pace attack. The Proteas blanked Aussies 5-0 in an ODI series at home apart from winning a Test series 2-1 down under. Apart from that, they defeated Sri Lanka in the first Test in the ongoing Test series. Faf du Plessis has won huge plaudits for his attacking leadership and seems destined to lead South Africa for a long time.

Calypso cricket: The West Indies paradox

The Calypso boys were excellent in the T20 format despite playing ordinary Test cricket. Whereas Test cricket witnessed amazing lows for West Indies as they lost series to Australia, India and Pakistan, they ably turned the tables in the shortest format of the game. Brutal hitting and splendid shot selection witnessed them winning the World T20 World Cup. The West Indies even won the Under 19 World Cup and Women’s cricket World cup as they displayed awesome authority in the shorter formats of the game.

New Zealand: Kiwis end the year on winning stride after some lackluster performances

The year 2016 didn’t hold any huge achievements for New Zealand as they performed in an average manner. They were thumped by the Aussies in Test series at home and abroad apart from being whitewashed by India in an away series. They were even beaten by Australia and New Zealand in bilateral One day series. However, the Kiwis ended the year on a good note as they thumped Pakistan (2-0) in Test series and Bangladesh (3-0) in an ODI series at home.

Sri Lanka: Substandard performances throughout the year worry the Lankans

Sri Lanka failed to do anything of repute throughout 2016 apart from registering a 3-0 win in Test series against Australia at home. The Aussies had their revenge as they trumped Sri Lanka 4-1 in the subsequent ODI series. Apart from that, the Lankans failed to achieve anything substantial in shorter formats of the game and displayed average performances in T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. They have begun the ongoing away Test series against South Africa on a worrisome note and have already lost the first Test by a huge margin.